Search for two-neutrino double-beta decay of 136Xe to the excited state of 136Ba with the complete EXO-200 dataset* *EXO-200 is supported by DOE and NSF in the United States, NSERC in Canada, SNF in Switzerland, IBS in Korea, DFG in Germany, and CAS in China. EXO-200 data analysis and simulation uses resources of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center

Abstract

A new search for two-neutrino double-beta (2νββ) decay of 136Xe to the excited state of 136Ba is performed with the full EXO-200 dataset. A deep learning-based convolutional neural network is used to discriminate signal from background events. Signal detection efficiency is increased relative to previous searches by EXO-200 by more than a factor of two. With the addition of the Phase II dataset taken with an upgraded detector, the median 90% confidence level half-life sensitivity of 2νββ decay to the state of 136Ba is yr using a total 136Xe exposure of 234.1 kg yr. No statistically significant evidence for 2νββ decay to the state is observed, leading to a lower limit of yr at 90% confidence level, improved by 70% relative to the current world's best constraint.